“Many of you will take the view that the hospice helped my dad to accept his condition and die as painlessly and peacefully as he could. But you would be wrong... they allowed my dad to live!”Daniel Owen, son of a hospice patient

Wigan man's cycling tribute

27 March 2018

A WIGAN man is cycling 300 miles from London to Paris in memory of his brother-in-law.

Stuart Shelmerdine, 44, from Hawkley Hall is taking on our
challenge to raise funds after the hospice cared for his
brother-in-law Victor Leonard.

Victor passed away in January 2017 aged 60 a year after being
diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Stuart said: "Victor was a very healthy guy - he was vegetarian,
a regular runner who went jogging every day and really looked after
himself. Then he started getting stomach pains and was diagnosed
with pancreatic cancer.
"The hospice provided amazing support during the period up to and
after his death, providing round the clock palliative care at home
in his final weeks, and delivering a hospital bed for use at his
home. They also provided emotional support and advice for the
family throughout what was an incredibly difficult time."

When Stuart saw that the hospice was organising a London to
Paris bike ride he decided he wanted to raise funds to say thank
you for the support received by Victor and his family.

He has previously cycled 101 miles for charity but will have to
cycle 300 miles over 4 days in order to complete this challenge.
Stuart, a service co-ordinator for Ingersoll Rand in Horwich, also
has to raise a minimum of £1,900.

"I'm feeling pretty confident about the ride," he said. "Getting
up and cycling on day 2 after all that cycling the day before will
be the hardest bit.
"I'm up to £1,000 now with my fundraising and will be adding
another £300 to that soon. I've been overwhelmed by the response
but when people find out you're doing it for the hospice they want
to help. I didn't realise how many people have had help and
assistance from the hospice so it means they want to donate."

Stuart has raised £300 by selling a running machine on eBay
donated by Victor's wife and another £75 by restoring an old bike
and selling that on the online auction site.

He will be doing a bag pack in Tesco in August and on May 5th
between 10am and 3pm he'll be cycling on a turbo trainer in Wigan
Tesco in order to raise more funds - and get some training in.

This is the first time that the hospice has organised an
international fundraising event.

Cyclists will travel through the English countryside into rural
France passing by historical landmarks and World War 1 battlefields
before reaching the Eiffel Tower.

The ride takes place between September 18th and 23rd when the
cyclists will arrive back in Wigan.

To sign up or find out more call the fundraising team on 01942
525566 or email: fundraising@wlh.org.uk